Approve SB 1

One of the last issues the General Assembly will deal with this year is Senate Bill 1, allowing overseas military voters to send, not just receive as is the case now, their ballots electronically. It's been suggested in some circles this is a partisan issue, but it really is not. The bill is the work of a Democrat, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, but is supported by Republican election officials like me; while the opponents are likewise a bipartisan group.

The bill is essentially the uniform act, UMOVA, which has been adopted in many states, some with liberal Democratic legislatures, and others with conservative Republican legislatures, and no problems were reported anywhere.

I think everyone's motives on this issue are honorable, but based upon my own judgment and experience, the electronic voting method being proposed is very safe and will result in greater voting integrity, not less. Nor is this proposal the first step in some universal electronic voting scheme. Rather, some of the voter registration tools that will complement this bill can be a model for more reliable voter identification and verification, if our lawmakers so desire it.

Absentee military voting is an issue of particular significance in Jefferson County, as it seems an extraordinary number of our neighbors the last decade have served not just abroad, but in the most dangerous combat outposts, where it is often impossible to mail timely absentee ballots. For example, in our county in 2012, we sent out 957 military ballots, but only two-thirds were returned by Election Day. The return rate for other absentee ballots is about 95 percent.

So, I would hope our General Assembly can find some provisions of SB 1 acceptable and see that our service men and women are not denied the democratic franchise they are so valiantly fighting to guarantee for the rest of us.

BOBBIE HOLSCLAW

Jefferson County Clerk -

Louisville 40202 -

McConnell's cuts

U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is correct that the people in his lofty world will not feel the "insignificant" spending cuts in the sequester. Not one tax loophole was closed and wealthy individuals and corporations are raking in huge profits.

But the cuts to education, health care, food assistance and social supports will put punishing hardship on the working poor, the elderly, and disadvantaged students, as well as the struggling middle class. These folks took it on the chin in the recession, and just when some are beginning to come back, the sequester hits them again.

McConnell supposedly represents the citizens of Kentucky, but his policies don't reflect the living conditions of most of his constituents. Kentucky's health, education and poverty statistics put us far down the ladder compared to most other states. Kentuckians deserve real representation from someone who actually has the conviction and will to govern, not just obstruct, sneer and continue collecting his tax-funded pay and benefits.

MARY ELLEN PEACOCK

Louisville 40217 -

Ensure religious freedom

You asked the question of your readers: "Anyone out there feeling particularly threatened when it comes to religious liberty?" You quickly replied, "Nope, didn't think so." I would say: Not so fast, my editor friends! Many of us do feel that our religious liberties are being threatened. When our children are told they can't pray corporately in schools, can't pray or mention God or Jesus at sporting events, and our publicly owned government buildings can't post language that mentions God or Jesus, we are experiencing more than threats - our constitutional rights are being denied.

The first sentence to the First Amendment says, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." Our legal system has placed heavy emphasis on enforcing the part about the government establishing religion, and that is good. None of us wants a state-mandated church or religion. But, that emphasis has come at the expense of the free exercise of religion part. A growing number of believers think that we do need expressions of legislative intent at the local, state and federal level clarifying and reinforcing religious freedom in total.

LARRY GUPTON

Sellersburg, Ind. 47172 -

If he were pope ...

If I were pope, I would: 1) replace all existing leadership within four years; 2) declare Aug. 15, 2013 as the day (Assumption of Mary) when the church would begin accepting applications from women for the priesthood; and 3) declare Dec. 25, 2013 as the day when the church would permit priests to marry and form families as did Joseph and Mary on Christmas. The Catholic Church would in an instant solve all of its moral, social and financial problems. Imagine the burst of energy released within the church and the world for that matter. Unfortunately, we will be left only to "imagine."